Origin on Wii U to be same as Xbox 360 and PS3, says EA

Electronic Arts has confirmed that its online Origin service will function the same on Wii U as it does on other consoles.

Like on Xbox 360 and PlayStation 3, an Origin account will be required to play EA's Wii U games online. Users will be able to link their Nintendo Network ID with their Origin account, allowing for online play and potentially cross-platform social features in future games that support it.

"What we added to our Privacy Policy for Wii U players is very nearly the same as existing terms for Xbox Live and PlayStation 3 users concerning the need to register for an Origin account if you want to play EA games with online features and content," EA senior director of corporate communications John Reseburg told Polygon.

"That's no different than the user experience of the past several years of internet-connected game consoles and online services for games. To play the online features of our games, users need to create a user ID and account with EA. Since Origin was launched in June 2011, creating an EA account means you are creating an Origin account."

Earlier today Nintendo confirmed that Wii U will allow up to 12 user accounts per console, and use a new Nintendo Network ID system for users to connect and play online.

The online features will require a day-one Wii U system update, which will install Miiverse, Wii U Chat, Nintendo TVii (North America) and the system's eShop.

The basic pack includes a white Wii U console with 8GB of memory, a Wii U GamePad, an AC adapter and an HDMI cable.

The Premium set will offer the system in black with 32GB of memory, a copy of Nintendo Land, Wii U sensor bar, a GamePad charging cradle, stands for the GamePad and console and Nintendo Network Premium membership.